• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Legislature / Lawmakers want more oversight on sales of state property

Lawmakers want more oversight on sales of state property

May 21, 2013 By Andrew Beckett

The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has approved changes to a state budget proposal that would allow Wisconsin to sell buildings and land it owns.

The provision is designed to help the state sell facilities with costly upkeep costs or land that’s no longer needed, such as property acquired for road projects that was not used. Democrats worry the plan could have broader implications though, possibly allowing the state to sell student dorms, prisons, and even the state Capitol building.

State Rep. Jon Richards worries the proposal could result in the “wholesale sale of state properties, without even requiring a competitive bid.” Fellow Democrats on the panel echoed those concerns, arguing that even requiring legislative review of a proposed sale could have donors thinking twice before helping to fund new buildings on campuses across the state.

Majority Republicans on Tuesday adopted an amendment to give the finance committee oversight on sales. It also prohibits the sale of property where at least half the funding came from a grant or gift.

JFC co-chair Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) says the changes will give lawmakers more control over what gets sold and rebuffed claims from Democrats that the bill could result in the sale of key state buildings. Darling said, “Let’s get real, there’s not a chance that the DOA would put up for our consideration the sale of the Capitol.”

The changes will be considered by the full Legislature when it takes up the budget next month. Even if approved by lawmakers though, the legislative oversight could still be vetoed by the governor.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Legislature, News, Top Story





compeer financial celebrates beef month

Featured Stories

Wisconsin DNR warns of elevated fire danger this week

Baldwin announces U.S. Senate reelection bid

‘Tragic, terrible’ – Sheriff on Barron County police officers deaths

Two police officers killed in Barron County shootout

UW System Regents approve tuition increase

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Evers’ AmFam funding plan ‘a nonstarter’ with Assembly Republicans

New pitch clock could speed up MLB games this season, says UW expert

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC